Report: Apple tablet coming Q1 2010

A mock-up of what the rumored Apple Tablet will look like (AppleInsider)

Are you tired of the endless drip of Apple Tablet rumors? Well, the wait for this mystery device may be coming to an end.

AppleInsider, in a very authoritative posting, said the much-discussed device is on its way in the first quarter of 2010 after having received the go-ahead from Steve Jobs, who was personally shepherding the project even from his hospital bed.

Here’s the main info from the report, which AppleInsider said is pulled from “people well-respected by AppleInsider for their striking accuracy in Apple’s internal affairs.”:

The device will come with a 10-inch screen and 3G access built in, kind of a like a big iPod Touch with cellular data. The project was “reset” a half dozen times over the last two years but the pieces have fallen into place in the last six months.

The device will sell between $300 and $999 though it’s unclear if it will get a carrier subsidy. Apple is reportedly in talks with Verizon Wireless to be the operator for the tablet.

The device will use chips designed by PA Semi, the chip designer that Apple bought last year for $278 million. It will not use Intel’s Atom processor, which apparently was deemed too power hungry.

My question is how much will this cost? I hope they put out a Wi-Fi only version because either you’re looking at a pretty sizable monthly cellular bill or they’re going to figure cellular data into the price of the tablet, (think Amazon Kindle) which is going to add hundreds of dollars to the price.

But if they get this right, this could be a cool platform for new apps, games and e-books. And of course, it’ll be yet another great way to get on the Internet.